Types and Shadows of Christ in Modern-Day Examples
The concepts of "types" and "shadows" in biblical theology refer to Old Testament persons, events, or institutions that prefigure or foreshadow New Testament realities, particularly those related to Jesus Christ. The New Testament itself uses this language, as seen in Colossians 2:17, which states that certain Old Testament practices "are a shadow of the coming things, and the body is of the Christ" [1]. Similarly, Hebrews 10:1 describes the law as having "but the shadow, not the very image" of the good things to come, implying that Christ is the "archetype" or original reality [5].
Many Old Testament figures and events are identified as types of Christ. Adam, for instance, is called a "type of him who was to come" in Romans 5:14 [2]. Other examples include Abel, whose innocent death foreshadowed Christ's sacrifice, and Abraham, whose covenant with God pointed to the broader spiritual family established through Christ [2]. Aaron, as the high priest, served as a type of Christ's priestly ministry, offering sacrifices for sin [2]. The ark of Noah, which provided salvation through water, is seen as a type of baptism and salvation in Christ [2]. The ark of the covenant, containing God's law and presence, foreshadowed Christ as the embodiment of God's will and presence [2].
The sacrificial system of the Old Testament is a prominent example of shadows pointing to Christ. The sacrifices offered on the Day of Atonement, for instance, prefigured Christ's ultimate atoning sacrifice [2]. John Gill notes that the yearly recurring law sacrifices could not perfect the worshipper, but Christ's "once-for-all offering" could [5]. The brazen serpent lifted in the wilderness, which brought healing to those who looked upon it, is explicitly linked by Jesus himself to his own crucifixion and the salvation it offers (Numbers 21:9; John 3:14-15) [2]. The tabernacle and its services were also "typical and shadowy," serving as a "figure for the time then present" that pointed to Christ's human nature and to heaven itself [7]. The cloud that led the Israelites in the wilderness is interpreted as a type of Christ, who provides protection and guidance to his people [3].
Beyond specific individuals or rituals, broader Old Testament themes and institutions also function as types. The Davidic kingship, for example, foreshadowed Christ's eternal reign as the true King [2]. The cities of refuge, which offered sanctuary to those who had unintentionally killed someone, are seen as a type of the refuge and safety found in Christ [2]. Even natural phenomena, such as the darkness that covered the land during Christ's crucifixion, can be seen as fulfilling prophetic shadows from the Old Testament (Amos 8:9) [6].
The concept of "shadows" emphasizes that these Old Testament elements were not the ultimate reality but rather anticipatory representations. As Tyndale House notes on Colossians 2:17, the Old Testament rituals "anticipated" the reality of Christ [4]. The "image" or "archetype" is Christ himself, and the Old Testament elements were merely a "shadow" of that reality [5]. This distinction highlights the superiority and fulfillment found in Christ, rendering the Old Testament types and shadows obsolete in their original form once Christ, the "body," has come [1].
Sources
- Colossians “Colossians 2:17 (YLT) — which are a shadow of the coming things, and the body <FI>is<Fi> of the Christ;”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Types of Christ — Adam -- Ro 5:14; 1Co 15:45. Abel -- Ge 4:8,10; Heb 12:24. Abraham -- Ge 17:5; Eph 3:15. Aaron -- Ex 28:1; Heb 5:4,5; Le 16:15; Heb 9:7,24. Ark -- Ge 7:16; 1Pe 3:20,21. Ark of the Covenant -- Ex 25:16; Ps 40:8; Isa 42:6. Atonement, sacrifices offered on the day of -- Le 16:15,16; Heb 9:12,24. Brazen serpent -- Nu 21:9; Joh 3:14,15. Brazen altar -- Ex 27:1,2; Heb 13:10. Burnt offering -- Le 1:2,4; Heb 10:10. Cities of refuge -- Nu 35:6; Heb 6:18. David -- 2Sa 8:15; Eze 37:24; Ps 89:19,20; Php 2:9. Eliakim -- Isa 22:20-22; Re 3:7. First-fruits -- Ex 22”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 78:13: In the daytime also he led them with a cloud,.... Which was in the form of a pillar, and went before them, and the Lord in it, and directed their way, and protected them from heat; see Exo 13:21, Neh 9:12 this was typical of Christ, who is a shadow and security from the heat of a fiery law, the flaming sword of justice, the wrath of God, which is poured forth like fire, the fiery darts of Satan, and from hurt by any enemy whatever; see Isa 4:5, and who leads his people through the wilderness of this world by his Spirit, by his word, and by his own example; and who is”
- Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 2:17: 2:17 The reality of Christ was anticipated by the Old Testament rituals, which Paul calls shadows (see also Heb 10:1).”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 10 (introduction): CONCLUSION OF THE FOREGOING ARGUMENT. THE YEARLY RECURRING LAW SACRIFICES CANNOT PERFECT THE WORSHIPPER, BUT CHRIST'S ONCE-FOR-ALL OFFERING CAN. (Heb. 10:1-39) Previously the oneness of Christ's offering was shown; now is shown its perfection as contrasted with the law sacrifices. having--inasmuch as it has but "the shadow, not the very image," that is, not the exact likeness, reality, and full revelation, such as the Gospel has. The "image" here means the archetype (compare Heb 9:24), the original, solid image [BENGEL] realizing to us”
- Mark (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Mark 15:33: Here we have an account of Christ's dying, how his enemies abused him, and God honoured him at his death. I. There was a thick darkness over the whole land (some think over the whole earth), for three hours, from noon till three of the clock. Now the scripture was fulfilled (Amo 8:9), I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day; and Jer 15:9, Her sun is gone down while it is yet day. The Jews have often demanded of Christ a sign from heaven; and now they had one, but such a one as signified the blinding of their eyes. It wa”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 9:9: Which was a figure for the time then present,.... The tabernacle in general was a figure of Christ's human nature, Heb 8:2 and the most holy part of it was a figure of heaven itself, Heb 9:24 the whole service of it was typical and shadowy; but it was but a temporary figure; it was for that present time only; the things of it were suited to that dispensation, and are now abolished, and ought not to be revived, the ordinances of the Gospel being greatly preferable to them; and while it did continue, it was only a parable, as the word here used signifies; it was like a ”